Nearly 3 Million People Can't Get Over What This Mom Found In Her 12-Year-Old Son's Locker

It takes a LOT to shock a seasoned parent. However, one mom recently got quite the unexpected surprise after her middle schooler was told to clean out his overstuffed locker.

Two people smiling under colorful lights, both with short hair, wearing casual clothing
Megan Blankenship

In fact, mom Megan Blankenship was so taken aback she decided to document her discovery on TikTok. In the video, she explains, "My son's school emailed me and told me that he needed to come to school with a trash bag because his locker was so full, he could not shut his locker door."

Megan in a hoodie indoors, holding a large trash bag. The text on the image reads, "Wait for it"
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

"I have to show you guys what was in his locker because, if I did not film it, I feel like nobody would believe me. He's 12."

  @mamameggzz / tiktok.com
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

First, Megan pulls some expected clothing items out of the trash bag. "This is not what I wanted to show you. After we get past the clothes..."

  @mamameggzz / tiktok.com
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

"We have not one, but two TV remotes."

  @mamameggzz / tiktok.com
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

"A rotten apple."

  @mamameggzz / tiktok.com
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

"A headset. The school supplies that I just bought him that should be in his locker."

Megan in a hoodie holds a gaming headset
Megan in a hoodie holds a gaming headset
Megan holds various children's markers in a home setting
Megan holds various children's markers in a home setting

@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

"My personal favorite — the reason why I am making this video — I don't have words."

  @mamameggzz / tiktok.com
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

If it isn't obvious, it is a framed photo of Nicolas Cage as Shrek.

  @mamameggzz / tiktok.com
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

"I don't even — I'm not sure. I haven't questioned him yet on this so I feel like now would be a good time. He has no idea that I went through this whole thing," she says as she calls her son, Carson, to the room.

  @mamameggzz / tiktok.com
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

Carson enters, a bit confused, as Megan explains that she has everything he brought home from inside his locker.

Megan and Carson standing together
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

At first Carson tries to skedaddle out of this potentially awkward situation, but then he decides to embrace it.

Carson smiling, wearing a tie-dye shirt with graphic print featuring a character in sunglasses
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

Megan asks him about the remotes and Carson explains that he had to bring five items for show and tell, so those were a part of it.

  @mamameggzz / tiktok.com
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

Then, it was time for the real interrogation. Megan busts out Shrekolas Cage, as one commenter called him:

  @mamameggzz / tiktok.com
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

Through laughter, Carson says, "Let me explain. It is Nicolas Cage as Shrek."

  @mamameggzz / tiktok.com
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

And if you think there is further explanation, you are wrong.

Comment saying, "I can explain. It's Nicholas Cage as Shrek." Yeah we've still got questions, bud
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

Megan playfully says, "I'm done. If you're ever wondering what it's like raising middle schoolers — boys — that's all. Thank you."

Person smiling while playfully holding a child indoors; wearing a casual hoodie
Person smiling while playfully holding a child indoors; wearing a casual hoodie
Two people playfully interact at home, with the adult wearing a casual hoodie. Their hands are in motion, suggesting a fun and lively moment
Two people playfully interact at home, with the adult wearing a casual hoodie. Their hands are in motion, suggesting a fun and lively moment

@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

You can watch the full video on TikTok here.

The video has racked up nearly 3 million views, and people are appreciating the comical relief kids always seem to provide.

Comment by melissagcampbell reads: "He's 12" actually is the full explanation, friend.
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

They are also impressed with Carson's impeccable taste in artwork.

Comment: "THATS AN ORIGINAL MAM!!! YOU HAVE GOLD!! NOW LEAVE THAT BOY WITH AMAZING TASTE ALONE"
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

And besides wondering where he got such a fancy frame...

Social media post with two comments jokingly questioning where a 12-year-old got a frame
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

It made people start reminiscing on all the Nicolas Cage memes they've seen over the years.

Comment reminiscing about drawing "Pickolas Cage" in art class and enjoying how the meme has persisted over the years
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

*Nic appreciation pause*

Nicholas Cage with long hair smiles while wearing a sleeveless top
Buena Vista Pictures

Overall, though, teachers are unfazed and say it is a pretty typical item to expect in a middle schooler's locker.

Comment by Megan Frigault: As a middle school teacher, none of this surprises me. Found a bracelet in my desk saying “get out me swamp”
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

BuzzFeed spoke to Megan who said she wasn’t surprised to learn Carson's locker needed to be cleaned out. "One of his teachers actually said that it was 'impressive the amount of things he was able to fit in there.' He also has had things put in the lost and found or sent to the office because his locker has been so full it won’t shut all the way. We’ve had several talks about this," she said.

  Megan Blankenship
Megan Blankenship

After Carson brought the trash bag home, Megan put it to the side, assuming it was clothes since Carson was missing a lot of hoodies and jackets. "When I picked it up to put the items in the washer, I realized there was more in the bag," she said.

  @mamameggzz / tiktok.com
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

Megan said she was puzzled when she found the TV remotes because Carson doesn’t have a TV in his room, and they aren't missing any at home. When she saw the rotten apple she wondered why he brought it home instead of just throwing it away. And she also had a head-shaking moment seeing that the new school supplies she bought him were brought back home unopened. Nothing prepared her for the Shrekolas Cage photo, however. "I had no words. I never in my life could have expected that. It was the most random but funny thing I have ever seen."

  @mamameggzz / tiktok.com
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

Megan did press him later on about how he ended up with the photo, and it turns out it was from a white elephant gift exchange at a church event. "I was told that it’s kind of a tradition every year and that he has been going around for a few years now," she shared.

  @mamameggzz / tiktok.com
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

All in all, Megan said she can't judge Carson for his locker because she struggled the same way with organization when she was his age. "Carson said his plans for keeping his locker clean in the future is to 'just roll with it, see what happens,' so I’m assuming next month I will be receiving another bag, and we will do a 'locker haul' again."

Megan and Carson smiling, bundled in winter jackets, posing together in snowy weather
Megan Blankenship

Since the video went so viral, Megan said Carson has been loving reading everyone’s comments. He even hung Shrekolas up in their living room next to their family photos:

Carson reaching to hang an oval frame on a wall. A comment says,
Carson reaching to hang an oval frame on a wall. A comment says,
Carson smiles while playing in a room with framed photos on the wall. A comment shows appreciation for the decor and praise for the boy's taste
Carson smiles while playing in a room with framed photos on the wall. A comment shows appreciation for the decor and praise for the boy's taste

@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

Megan concluded, "The personality you see in the videos is exactly how he is all the time. He’s one of the funniest people I know and has the best sense of humor. We are so proud to call him our son. Now, he’s excited to do more TikToks with me and share his thoughts and personality with everyone. We have been overwhelmed with the amount of funny and also sweet comments everyone has left on our videos, and we can’t wait to share more with our followers!"

  @mamameggzz / tiktok.com
@mamameggzz / tiktok.com

You can follow Megan and Carson on TikTok for more funny adventures!